Canon shrinks the DSLR with the EOS 100D

Canon has revealed two new DSLRs – the EOS 100D and the EOS 700D (or Rebel SL1 and Rebel T5i depending on where you are in the world). Billed as the world’s smallest and lightest APS-C DSLR camera, the 100D still manages to pack in an 18 megapixel APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) sensor and a touchscreen on the rear. The 700D is a more advanced, and traditionally-sized, entry-level model which can shoot at 5 fps, and has a wide 9-point all cross type AF system and touchscreen LCD.

Canon EOS 100D (EOS Rebel SL1)

The tiny Canon EOS 100D compared with the EOS 5D Mark III

With the launch of the mirrorless EOS M last year, Canon showed it was capable of producing a small camera without compromising on sensor size. Now the company has applied some of what it learned to shrink the DSLR. The Canon EOS 100D measures an impressively small 116.8 x 90.7 x 69.4 mm (4.6 x 3.6 x 2.7 inches) and weighs just 407g (14.4 oz.) … which is great news if you're looking for a compact DSLR and have small enough hands to use it without feeling like a clumsy giant.

Despite its compact size, the 100D still manages to include all the features you'd expect from an entry-level Canon DSLR. There's an 18 megapixel APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) CMOS sensor with a DIGIC 5 image processor enabling shooting at speeds of up to 4 fps (frames per second) and an ISO range of 100-6400 (which can be expanded to ISO 12800).

Autofocus benefits from a nine point AF system, with a cross type at center. While phase detection pixels spread across 80 per cent of the sensor’s imaging surface. Canon says this increases AF speed and tracking when in live view or shooting videos, which can be recorded in Full-HD 1920 x 1080 at 30/25/24 fps or 60/50 fps in 1280 x 720. There's also the option for a microphone input.

Physically, the EOS 100D also features an optical viewfinder with 95 percent coverage and a fixed three-inch touch screen on the rear with 1040K dots. There are most of the buttons and dials you'd find on a larger DSLR, and while everything is squashed into a smaller space it appears that the layout has been well considered and the camera should still feel good in the hand.

Canon EOS 700D (EOS Rebel T5i)

Replacing the EOS 650D (though interestingly the EOS 600D will remain on sale) the EOS 700D becomes Canon's flagship consumer APS-C EOS model. However, in truth it's not a massive upgrade on previous models with the biggest changes apparently a new mode dial, which now turns 360 degrees, and the addition of the ability to preview Creative Filters in Live View mode.

The EOS 700D features an 18 megapixel APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm) CMOS sensor along with a DIGIC 5 image processor which means it's able to achieve a burst speed of 5 fps and has a native ISO range of 100-12,800 – which is expandable to 25,600 for shooting in low-light conditions without flash.

The autofocus system consists of nine cross-type points which are spread across the frame for faster and more accurate focusing. A Hybrid CMOS AF system allows for tracking moving subjects during video shooting which can be recorded at Full-HD 1920 x 1080 at 30/25/24 fps or 60/50 fps in 1280 x 720. On the rear of the 133.1 x 99.8 x 78.8 mm (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 inches) camera, there's a three inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen.

As with the 100D, Canon has added a range of creative filters – such as Fish-eye and Miniature effect – which can be applied before capture and previewed on the screen.

EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

Both of the new cameras are available with a new 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens which gives a 35mm-format equivalent focal-length of 28-90mm. The lens has a non-rotating front element, a 0.25 m closest focusing distance and a circular seven-bladed aperture.

The Canon EOS 100D (EOS Rebel SL1) will be available in April for a price of US$800 while the EOS 700D (EOS Rebel T5i) – which is also due in April – will cost $750 body-only, or $900 with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens which will retail for $250 on its own.

Simon is a journalist and photographer who has spent the last ten years working for national UK newspapers - but has never hacked a mobile phone - and specializes in writing about weird products and photography technology. When not writing for Gizmag, Simon is often found playing with LEGO and drinking far too much coffee.

Yawn. Even a boring GoPro can record 4K video nowdays. 18mp sensor, with 16mp of it left totally wasted. Sheesh

christopher

It's a camera that shoots video, not a video camera. Megapixel does not equate quality.

sanden

I like it. While it's the lightest, Olympus made a smaller DSLR with the E450 back in 2009. They should keep the size and then stuff it with all the best they can muster, rather than go for entry point 4fps.